Washer Medium Severity
F29 Miele Error Code

Heating Not Activated

The F29 error code means the control board did not activate the heating element when it should have. Unlike F20 (heater ran but water didn't heat), F29 indicates the heater circuit was never switched on.

~10%

DIY Fixable

$200-450

Typical Repair Cost

1-2 hrs

Pro Repair Time

Quick Assessment

Answer to continue safely

Is it safe to keep using?

Maybe. Cold-water programs work fine. But any program requiring heated water will not clean effectively. Use cold programs while arranging repair.

Can I reset the code?

Yes. Yes. Turn off for 10 minutes. If a board glitch, it may clear. If hardware failure, F29 returns.

When to stop immediately?

Stop if you notice: F29 returns after reset, Breaker trips when heating should start.

Symptoms You May Notice

Water stays cold on hot programs

No heating occurs during wash or rinse phases

No heater relay click

You cannot hear the relay clicking when the heating phase should begin

F29 mid-cycle

Appears when the board should activate the heater but cannot

Cold door glass

The door window remains cool throughout a hot-wash cycle

Possible Causes

1

Control Board Relay Failure

The relay that switches power to the heater has failed on the PCB.

Requires Professional
2

Heater Open Circuit

The heating element has burned out and the board detects no circuit before even trying to switch it on.

Requires Professional
3

Wiring Fault to Heater

A broken wire or loose connector prevents the heater circuit from completing.

Requires Professional
4

Temperature Sensor Reading Fault

The NTC sensor reports an incorrect high temperature, making the board think heating is unnecessary.

Requires Professional
5

Software / Board Glitch

A transient error prevents the heater activation routine from running.

DIY Possible

Safe Checks You Can Do

These checks are safe for homeowners. No disassembly required. Do not remove panels or access internal components.
  1. 1

    Power Reset

    Turn off at mains for 10 minutes. A board glitch may prevent heater activation.

    Longer reset gives the board time to clear its state.

  2. 2

    Run a Hot Cycle

    After reset, select a 60°C cycle. After 20 minutes, check if the door glass is warm.

    Warm glass = heater working. Cold = fault confirmed.

  3. 3

    Try a Different Program

    Select a different temperature program (40°C, 60°C, 90°C). If one works but others don't, the issue may be program-specific.

    A 90°C maintenance wash can sometimes kick the heater back into action.

  4. 4

    Check Breaker

    If the heater has a short, it may trip the breaker before the board can even activate it.

    A tripped breaker needs professional investigation.

  5. 5

    Note Related Codes

    F29 + F20 = heater circuit failure. F29 alone = board-level issue.

    The distinction helps a technician enormously.

When to Call a Professional

Contact a qualified Miele technician if:

  • Heater relay does not click
  • Heater element reads open circuit
  • Board-level fault
  • F29 + F20 together
  • Under warranty

Need Professional Help?

Find qualified Miele technicians in your area for proper diagnostics and repair.

Schedule Appointment

More Washer Error Codes

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F138 F103 F62 F56 F53 F50 F46 F43 F35 F34 F20 F19